Shawn Porter has named one world champion in particular that he believes he is still capable of defeating.
Porter had an impressive professional career, producing 36 victories along the way over the likes of Paulie Malignaggi, Adrien Broner and Danny Garcia.
The Cleveland-native held the IBF world welterweight title between 2013 and 2014 before he was dethroned by Britain’s Kell Brook in a majority decision defeat.
Porter later captured the WBC welterweight crown but would make just one defence against Yordenis Ugas before he was outpointed by countryman Errol Spence Jr in September 2019. He retired off the back of a loss to pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford.
Despite now being retired for over four years, speaking on The PorterWay Podcast, ‘Showtime’ backed himself to defeat reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, who is currently preparing to face Ryan Garcia next month.
“I think I beat Mario Barrios. Shout out to Mario though. Great fight against Ryan Garcia. If Ryan is not firing, Mario is. And I think I beat Ryan Garcia as well. I think all these guys. I think I outclass all these guys, I think I outwork these guys and these guys aren’t like the guys that I fought.”
Barrios’ most recent title defence came back in July when he fought to a majority draw against former pound-for-pound superstar Manny Pacquiao.
The bout saw Pacquiao make a sensational return to the sport at the age of 46, but he was unable to earn the victory and dethrone Barrios, who will make the third defence of his crown against ‘King Ryan’ in Las Vegas on February 21, a bout that he will be desperate to win after retaining the belt via two draws.
